Globe mount



L. H. POWELL Oct. 4, 1949.

GLOBE MOUNT 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Law/21PM m, B n

6 m 4 m 7 4 3 1 7 3 6 3 5 4 2 9 5 5 3 5 Z s 4 1. a wl/m 2 5 4 4A 23 a Z 6 3 3 1 7 3 2. 4 H o 2 1 6 0 T 9 2 5 3 o Q 1 5 "w 5 5 0 a 4 6 6 w 3 I 6 8 F m 5 n L. H. POWELL GLOBE MOUNT Oct. 4, 1949.

3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 12, 1945 Patented Oct. 4, 1949 GLOBE MOUNT Louis H. Powell, St. Paul, Minn., assignor to Saint Paul Institute, St. Paul, Minn., a corporation of Minnesota Application March 12, 1945, Serial No. 582,302

19 Claims.

My invention relates to an improvement in globe mount wherein it is desired to provide an apparatus for supporting a large sphere for movement about a plurality of axes.

Difficulty has been encountered in properly supporting a spherical globe such as a large spherical map of the world. Globes have often been supported rotatable about a fixed axis extending through the North and South Poles. This axis has usually been pivoted in a ring girdling the globe which in turn rotates on a track. This axis and ring mechanism greatly impedes complete and long study of the surface of the globe, particularly in the polar areas.

Some smaller globes have also been supported by socket shaped receptacles so that the globe may be oriented in any desired manner. This eliminates visual interference by the mounting. Where the sphere is of large size and is correspondingly heavy, it has been difficult to support the same so that it may be oriented in any desired manner without resort to an axis and ring mounting which gives great visual'interference.

Attempts have been made to support the globe upon ball bearings of various sorts. These ball bearings, however, must be supported in sockets and considerable friction often exists between the sockets and the bearings. Furthermore, a sphere supported by ball bearings is supported by points of contact. As a result, unless the sphere is of extremely hard material the ball bearings will have a tendency to mar the surface thereof.

A feature of the present invention resides in the supporting of the sphere upon a hoop or ring which is rotatable about a substantially vertical axis. The hoop or ring may be padded so as to support the globe without danger of injury to the surface thereof. The ring is supported upon flanged rollers arranged on radially extending pivots. The rollers may be of sufficient size to permit easy rotation of the globe about a vertical axis even though the globe is extremely heavy.

A further feature of the present invention resides in providing a pair of curved rollers which are arranged on parallel axes and are engageable with the undersurface of the sphere on opposite sides of the center thereof. These rollers are so supported that they may move upwardly against the surface of the globe so as to raise the globe off the supporting ring. When thus lifted out of contact with the support, the sphere is free to rotate about a transverse axis.

An added feature of the present invention lies ported on opposite sides of the center of the globe and engageable with the undersurface of the globe. This second pair of rollers are supported on axes arranged at substantially right angles to the area of the first mentioned rollers and are also movable upwardly into engagement with the surface of the globe to raise the same out of contact with its supporting ring. The mechanism supporting the two sets of rollers is so arranged that the rollers are selectively engageable with the globe and act to support the globe rotatable about either of two horizontal axes which intersect at substantially right angles.

A feature of the invention lies in the provision of a globe support which selectively supports the globe rotatable about one of three axes, each of which is at substantially right angles to the remaining two. The globe may be rotated about a vertical axis, or about either of two horizontal axes, thus rendering accessible any desired portion of the globe and readily permitting orientation of that portion of the globe in any desired manner. I

A further feature of the present invention resides in the provision of a construction which may not only be placed in the upper portion of a pedestal, but which may be supported in a wall in such a way that only a portion of the surface of the sphere is visible at one time. The supporting structure is so arranged, however, that any selected part of the sphere may be moved into position to be observed.

A feature of the present invention lies in the provision of a means of operating the cams from a central front position, thus allowing complete freedom of orientation while remaining on one side of the globe. This permits the wall installation.

These and other objects and novel features of my invention will be more clearly and fully set forth in the following specification and claims.

In the drawings forming a part of my specification:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a globe map and support therefor, a part of the support casing being broken away to disclose the construction thereof.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the supporting mechanism for the globe.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing one set of opposed rollers in elevated position to engage and support the globe rotatable about a horizontal axis.

Figure 4 is a sectional view through one of the in the provision of a second pair of rollers sup- 55 supporting rollers in elevated position.

Figure is a view similar to Figure 4 showing one of the supporting rollers in normal lowered position.

The globe support A is particularly designed to support a spherical globe map E. With the same mechanism, however, it is possible to support any spherical aglobe ion-rotation aboutlvertical and. horizontal axes.

The globe support A is preferably mounted upon a base I!) which is shown in Figure 1 as; being generally octagonal in form. It will be understood that the outer shape of the base is": unimportant, the octagonalrshapewmerely, serving-r.

to add to the decorative appeasancesoflthesupport.

A series of angularly spacedrollers II are sup ported by axles l2 in recesseslS' 'in*the--base-- ID. The rollers II are equidistant fromrarcenter" point I4 of the base and the axles l2 are arranged radially; withrespect tto.this .center point l 43 Aringl 5 is .rotatably supported. on the rollers J. Tol-hold. the:ring.l5.in proper position an armaor spoke .IB,extendsidiametrically across the ring l5; being. secured at.its.ends to the ring andvbeing pivotallysupported by the ,axis or pin 2 I4.- Thearm .lfilnay beextendedtat I! to sup. port .an operating;..handle. l9liby means of. which the ring:- l5t.may-.b'eorotated 11p0n.. itS supporting rollers l l.

Securedatspacedlpoints about. the periphery and..isaprovidedjwith vertically extending upper extremities26iwhichare positionedinwardly of each roller.. 2 l.' Thus the b'olts.23 extend between th'ebrack'ets Zllfandthe braces'24, providinga double .support for the flanged rollers .21.

The rollers .2l 'areprovidedwith an'inclined surface terminating inaifiange Zlat .the outer edge ,of each roller. The bolts 23' extend radially toward the center. of the 'b'aseandact to support a. ring zs'which is preferably substantially circular in cross section; Thetring .29 may rotate aboutja vertical. axis dHGZtQZltSSHDpOIt by the rollers 21. The uppersurfacemf the ring 29 is preferably padded with leather, cork, or any suitable padding material indic'ated'at 30." The sphere or globeB normally rests upon the padded surface so that'the surfaceof the sphere is not injured by contact with thering. Thepadding also prevents relative movement between the ring and the globe or sphera-so-that when the globe is restinguponthe*ring--29the globe may be'rotated-with'the ringabout' a vertical axis. A flat strip 3| is secured to the base lfl on either side' ofthe" center'pivot lj the two strips-3l being secured in parallel relationship. Only one of-the stripsfil 'is' clearly visible in the perspective views'2 and 35 but both" of these elements are'similar in construction? Apair'of "ears 32 extend upwardly. from each end of each strip 31 to' act asazsupportfora-pivot rod or shaft 35 extending'through the ears 32."

A roller supporting frame is pivotally mounted on each of the shafts 35. Each of these roller frames comprises a center portion 36 designed to extend parallel to the shafts 35. The center portion 35 is connected to parallel side portions 3'? which are connected by angularly disposed pontions=39 tor-parallel ears-r40. The.ears 40 are pivotall'y supported on :the shaft 335 between the upstanding ears 32 on the strip 3|. Thus each frame 41 is pivotally supported upon its respective shaft 35 for pivotal movement about parallel horizontal axes.

AsI'OllBIZfiZ- is. supported between the parallel sidezmembers.3Toteach frame 41, being rotatable about aeshaftulkextending through the sides 31. Each roller 42 includes a relatively small diameter centerporti'orr ld and substantially frusto-conical endsg452 thereupon. These ends 45 have their large diameter portions Eat the ends of the roller and. taper. toward ,the small diameter middle portionofthe roller .441" The 'substantially-frustoconicalends lfifare covered witha'surfaceof relatively hard cushioningtzmaterialsuch as-leather, hard... surface .cork', or"'the like. The-- surfaces 551. are actually, arcuatedfto fit "the curvature of the .globe .whichthey engage? platce of engaging the surfaceof the 'globe -at-'a point ofcontact as would be th'e'ca'se" if'ball -bearings were used .as the support; the rollers 42 provide a=,support which engages'th'e sphere along-lines ofhcontact.

Ilhavefound that where softmaterial has been usedto cover the roller endsrthe difficultyof rotating the sphere wlieirsupportedby the rollers increases. Therefore, Ipreferto usea relatively hard material such asleather the'bearing surface.

Each of the framesdtlis provided with a'sub stantially; Ll-shaped-armll=secured to thein termediate portion 4i thereof.- Thisarm' l'i'has alight, angular end 38 thereon whiclrrests upon thesurfa'ce .of the ring 15 or-upon an =arcuated strip such. as lfi 'resting'upon'the ring- 15? The only, purpose --of the arcuatedsegments 49 is to b'uilcLup. the ,thic'knessgof the ring equal to the thickness of the arm IB'jso *that the- L-shaped arm. .47 jmayslide' over, the rod 1 6 during-rotation ofth'evring. l5 relative itoith'e roller-supports. An. inciined;cam fi-ll'is secured to the ring l5at diametrically opposed portions thereof. Thecam ems providedy-Jith a gradual incline 5! starting at the height .of the arm lbiandending in a horizontaldwellportion.52 at, its upper extremity. An: upwardly ,extending end-r53 .limits movement of the-.armr ll .att'ne uppQrextremitgr, of the cam 50.

Innormal ilowereduposition of,jthe rollers 2, the larmse'lrarein the position shownin Figure 2 of the drawings. However, shouldth'e-hanclle l9 begrasped andmovedtathe right. into the position-shownjn Figure 3 40f therdrawings, the ring l5 will carry the cams 58 beneath the L-shaped arms l'l thuss urging these arms. upwardly until ,they' engage thedwell. at-the .top .-.of .each .cam.

The horizontal dwell portion 52- permitsv thcrollers d2itocremain inthe elevated-position illustrated in Figure 37indefinitely; asdong -as rthehandle 'l 3 and the rarm 5 :to which it is; attached .-is in .the position shown-cin-rFigure -31 By -graspinggthe handle I 8 andreturning itz to cthe rpositicnshown in Figure 2;:the arms s41 will againsriderdown the cams 55 loweringtherrollers- 42:11ntil the globeror sphere B'again rests'npon the ring. 29::

A similar roll'ertarrangement issmountedcupon the base at right angles to the rollers 42. A second pair of rollers 54 having substantially frusto-conical ends 55 are supported by frames 56. The frames 56 support shafts 51 extending through the rollers 54. The shafts 51 are arranged at substantially right angles to the shafts 43 previously described.

The frames 56 are identical to the frames 4| and are pivotally supported upon shafts 59 extending through upstanding ears such as 66 on the parallel strips 6| secured to the base. Thus the frames 56 may support the rollers 54 either in lowered position substantially below the level of the ring 29 or may support the rollers 54 in elevated position in which instance they engage the undersurface of the globe or sphere B and elevate the same from contact with the ring 29.

Each frame 56 is provided with an L-shaped arm 62 having a right angular end 58 which normally rests on the surface of the ring [5. Cams 63, similar to the cams 50, but arranged in reverse relation thereto are mounted upon the ring l5. Each cam 63 is provided with an inclined portion 64, a horizontal dwell portion 65 and an upwardly projecting end 66. Thus the arms 62 may be gradually raised until the arms engage the horizontal portion 65 in which case the rollers 54 have raised sufficiently to elevate the globe B away from the ring 29.

The operation of my globe mount is believed obvious from the foregoing description. The globe normally rests upon the ring 29 and may be rotated about its vertical axis, the ring 29 rotating with the globe and being freely supported by the rollers 2!. When it is desired to rotate the globe about a horizontal axis, the handle i9 is grasped and the ring l5 rotated in one direction or the other. If the handle [9 is rotated to the right as illustrated in Figure 2 of the drawings, the supporting structure will be moved into the position shown in Figure 3 of the drawings, thus acting to elevate the rollers 42. The elevation of the rollers 42 raises the globe B out of engagement with the ring 29 and the globe is supported rotatable about a horizontal axis.

If the handle [9 is grasped and rotated toward the left from the position illustrated in Figure 2, the cams 63 will engage the L-shaped arms 62 to pivot the frames 56 about their supporting shafts 59. This movement elevates the rollers 54 into engagement with the globe or sphere elevating this globe out of contact with the ring 29. The globe may then be rotated about a horizontal axis at substantially right angles to the axis of rotation when the mounting mechanism is in the position shown in Figure 3. It will be noted from Figure l of the drawings that the globe mounting may be supported in a wall C so that only a portion of the globe or sphere projects outwardly therefrom. With such a construction the globe requires considerably less space within a room. At the same time, however, any portion of the globe may be readily inspected by rotating the sphere about either the vertical axis or one of the horizontal axes specified.

In accordance with the patent statutes, I have described the principles of construction and operation of my globe mount, and while I have endeavored to set forth the best embodiment thereof, I desire to have it understood that obvious changes ma be made within the scope of the following claims without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim:

1. A globe support comprising a base, means on said base upon which said globe may rest, means supporting said first named means rotatable about a vertical axis, and movably mounted spaced means selectively engageable with said globe on opposite sides of the center thereof to lift the globe out of contact with said first named means, said movably mounted spaced means rotatably supporting said globe.

2. A globe support comprising a base, means on said base upon which said globe may rest, means supporting said first named means rotatabZe about a vertical axis, roller means selectively engageable with said globe on opposite sides of the center thereof along lines of contact, and means supporting said rollers for selective engagement with said globe and operable to raise the globe out of contact with said first named means.

3. A globe support comprising a base, means upon which said globe may rest, means on said base rotatably supporting said first named means, a pair of spaced roller means engageable with said globe on opposite sides of the center thereof, a second pair of rollers engageable with said globe on opposite sides of the center thereof, the axes of one pair of rollers being arranged at substantially right angles to the axes of the other pair of rollers, and means selectively engaging either of said pairs of rollers against said globe to lift said globe away from said first named means.

4. A globe support comprising a base, a ring upon which said globe may rest, means rotatably supporting said ring, and movably mounted spaced means selectively engageable with said globe on opposite sides of the center thereof along lines of contact to lift the globe out of contact with said ring.

5. A globe support comprising a base, a ring upon which said globe may rest, means on said base rotatably supporting said ring, movably mounted rollers selectively engageable with said globe on opposite sides of the center thereof along lines of contact and means supporting said rollers operable to lift said globe out of contact with said first named means.

6. A globe support comprising a base, a ring upon which said globe may rest, means rotatably supporting said ring, two angularly spaced pairs of rollers, the rollers of each pair being engageable with said globe on opposite sides of the center thereof, and means supporting said pairs of rollers and selectively engaging either pair of rollers with said globe to lift the globe out of contact with said ring.

7. A globe support comprising a base, means supporting said base rotatable about a substantially vertical axis, means selectively engageable with said globe to disengage the same from said base and to support said globe rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis, and a second means selectively engageable with said globe to disengage the same from said base and to support the same rotatable about a second horizontal axis angularly spaced from said first horizontal axis.

8. A globe support comprising means supporting the globe for rotation about a substantially vertical axis and inhibiting rotation thereof about any other axis while so supported, a means selectively engageable with said globe to disengage the same from said supporting means, said second means being operable when said first named selectively engageable means is out of engagement with said globe and supporting said globe rotat fi fi 5 7: able about a horizontal axis and inhibitingzrota tion about :any othersaxis whileso supported; and a second. means selectivelyrengageable with, said globe supportingisa-id' globe rotatableabout a second: horizontal axis 'angularly spaced relative to said first named horizontalaxis.

9. A-g lobe support comprising a means engageablew-ith said globe for supporting the same ro'- tatable. aboutpa substantially -:vertical axis while inhibiting rotation thereof-1 w-hiler so. .supported about anyother axis; and a second means selectively engaseable with said: globe, said. second meansw disengaging said:globefrom said first named. supporting means; and supporting. the globeerotatablev about a substantially horizontal 8 able aboutea substantially vertical axis; a pair of roller means selectively, engageable with saidil globe, means supporting said roller meansfor en: gagement with said-globe to raise said .globeout 5 of contact .with said first named supporting means, and cam means for operating said roller.

means.

15. A .globesupport comprising a means. for supporting the globe rotatable about a substan: l0-tially vertical axis, a pair. of roller means engage? able-with. said globeon opposite sides of thezcene terthereof, means supporting said roller means-s for. movement toward and away fromsaid'globe. andnoperable .to raisesaid globe out of contact 15, with said firstnamedsupporting means, a.-.sec-.-

axis--while-inhibitingyrotation thereof while so supported about any other axis.

l0.=A-. globe-supportcomprising armeans engageable with said globe supporting said globe rotatable about a first axis, a second means selec tivelyl cngageable -with-said=globe-, said second means: disengaging. said globe from said first namedsupporting means.-: and supporting the same-rotatable about alsecond axis; and a third means selectively engageable withsaid globeg-said third-meanssoperable when engaged to disengage said globe fromisaid: first and'second supporting means and: rotatablmsupporting ."said globe about a third axis;:.

11.- A-' globe: support comprising, a-- means rotatably supportingr-said-:globe -about one. axis while inhibiting rotation-:thereof while so supported about any other axis; a second means selectively engageable with saidglobe, said second means disengaginglsaid globe from said first named supporting: means androtatably supporting the same rotatable-about a second: axiswwhileinhibiting rotation -while;so supported about:- anyotheraxis, and athird means engageable with said: globe, said third .meansi-operablewhen ngaged to disengage saidglobe from said first andzsecond sup porting means and supporting the same-r0tatable-:

abouta-third axis whileinhibiting-rotation While: sov supported about any; other axis.

12... A globe support "comprising a means enagageable with said globe supporting=the rsar-nerotatable about one axis while inhibitingpivotal": movement whileso supportedabout-any other axis, a second 'meansselectively engageablawith': said. globe, said second means disengaging :Sflldz': globe from said first named supporting; means.-. and supportingasaid'globe rotatable about a::-seo+.- 0nd axis while inhibiting rotation while so supported about any other axis,-said axes or rotation intersecting at substantially right angles:

13. .A globe support comprisinga means engages able with said globeand supporting. the globe rotatable about one axis while inhibiting-rotation: whileso' supportedabout any other axisga second globe supporting means: selectively "engage" able with said globeysai-d secondm'eansdisenga'ge ing said globe from'said firstnamed supportingmeans to support the same rotatableabout a sec- 0nd axis =while inhibiting'rotationwhile so-=supondipairof roller means engageablewith saidI globe on opposite sides-ofithe center thereof, means. sup-portingsaid second roller, means movable toward and away from said globeandop;

gg erable to raise saidglobe out of contact with said tially vertical axis, roller means engageable with said globe on opposite sides of the center of the globe, means supporting said roller-means mov* able toward or away-from said globe andoper-= able to raise said globe out of contact With"saidfirst named supporting means, a second roller means e-ngageable with said globe on 'opposite sides of the centerthereof, means supporting said second roller means for movement towardor' away from said globe and operable to raisesaid globe out of contact With'said first named supporting means-cam means i or actuatingsaid roll-'- er supporting means, and means simultaneously moving all ofthe said cam means to-se1ctively engage eitherof said roller means with said globe.

l7.'A globe support comprising means normal-- 1y supporting the globe rotatable about a substantially vertical axis, roller means engageablewith said'globe on opposite sides of the center of the globe, means supporting said roller means ported about any other axis, a-third means 'selcmovable toward or'awa'y-from said globe andbperable torais'e'said globeout of contact withi'said first named supporting means, a second roller: means engageable With said globe" on opposite I sides of thecenter thereof, means supporting said second roller means for movement toward or away from saidzglobe and operable to raise-said: globe out of contactwith said first named sup,'-" porting: means, cam -means for actuating said' roller supportingmeans, andmeans simultaneouslymoving all of the said cam means to selec-.' tively engage either of said roller means with-said. globe, said last named means comprising a .rotatably supported ring upon which said .cammeans are mounted.

18. A globe support comprising a means for supporting said globe rotatable about a substantiallyvertical and roller means curved to fit the curvature .of said globe selectivelyengageable. with. said globe to raisethe globe out of contact with said first named supporting. means.

19. A globe support in combination Witha vertical wall including a casing projectin -forwardly. from the wall, a globe supportingv mechanism having its center point in substantially. the plane of the wall and having the portion of the mechanism lying forwardly of the wall enclosed Within said casing, and said. Wall. having an aperture therethrough of a size to'accommodate saidglobe with substantially one-half of the globe projecting forwardly of the wall.

LOUIS H. POWELL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,042,455 Manson Oct. 29, 1912 1,099,315 Scholes June 9, 1914 1,162,300 Minkler Nov. 30, 1915 Number Name Date 2,060,797 Haardt Nov. 10, 1936 2,102,413 Hail Dec. 14, 1937 2,336,436 Beindorf Dec. '7, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 808,938 France 1937 OTHER REFERENCES Knott Catalogue of Scientific Instruments, 1916, page 46. Any Well known automobile jack. 

